Categories
Life Changes

Meet the Kyndreds

A Zambia Love Story

Categories
Non Profit Organizations

Meet Dr. Dorene Wiese (Ojibwe)

The first series of stories in the Survivance project are focused on the ALAANA (African/African, LatinX, Asian, Arab, and Native American) community in Chicago, one year after the pandemic. This next story in the Survivance podcast series is such an important one. Meet Dr. Dorene Wiese (Ojibwe), Chief Executive Officer of the American Indian Association of Illinois. The American Indian Association of Illinois, is an urban based tax exempt non-profit organization dedicated to transforming American Indian communities through developing and delivering American Indian education and advocacy as an experience founded in Native American culture, language, and history, fused with traditional knowledge and tribal values, designed as a model to enhance all urban/off reservation Native communities. Programs include the Medicine Shield Indian School and University Support Program, the Chicago American Indian Museum and Black Hawk Dance Troupe, and the Urban American Indian Institute.

Follow Dr. Dorene Wiese @AmericanIndianAssociationIllinois on Facebook or visit their website at http://www.chicago-american-indian-ed…

Categories
Life Changes

Meet the Robinsons

Categories
Workforce/Job Start/Remote Work

Faythea-March 2020 Visual Poetry

March 2020 that’s when my life changed…

March 2020, that’s when my life changed.
Keep your distance! You need to isolate!
Wear your masks and keep your hands clean
Stay inside if you know what I mean
What do they mean? I thought to myself
Is this virus that bad? Should I be concerned about my health?

This virus was something we’ve never seen before
Millions dying while bills piled up on the floor
What is a 23 year old expected to do?
The world was in shambles and she didn’t have a clue!

Now 23! Degree in hand
Watching the news, thinking about her plans
What are my plans? Have they gone to waste?
Thinking about this just made my heart race

All my life my pathway was clear
Go to school! Get a career!

Now what do I do when jobs are closing down
Applications sent out, no responses en route
It’s a bit disheartening, after all I’ve achieved
All those years of school, no job offer received!

But that’s what the pandemic made us see
If it’s one thing this “panoramic” has taught me
Nothing is set in stone! We’ve seen that with Covid-19!

But that’s the least of my worries
I mean why should that bother me?
They say I’m YOUNG, be ALIVE and CAREFREE

BUT HOLD UP! That’s the problem with us today
Saying the virus isn’t real, thinking that will keep it at bay
To not caring at all about all this dismay
Like a life lost is just not and nothing more
Gone due to a virus and us not staying indoors

My people! My people! I’m tired as well
I miss the outdoors, that’s where my memories dwell
Gallivanting and social exchange is where I excel

But how selfish does it seem?
To be complaining and wishing this was a dream
I mean the thoughts that gallop through my mind…,
Hospitals are overworked, people are confined!

To beds…to ventilators…to rooms by themselves
Can’t see your families! Can’t ask them for help
Covid-19 is here! Got to stay by yourself!

I mean would they be less confined if we could just learn to stay at home
But no! We chose now to become Sherlock Holmes!
Going on adventures far and near
Ignoring protocols that we are told to adhere

So as I reflect on this past year
Was it as chaotic as it appeared?
It did surprised us with a virus
Did we survive it? Well…
Here is my official account
23 and trying to figure life out
But March 2020? Started the year that shook me, no doubt ……

F. Williams

Categories
Self Discovery

Marques Martin-Hayes

What year. I learned the most about my inner self. I discovered a deeper level of faith, purpose and optimism. After losing every source of income, somehow things and opportunities birthed.

Categories
Workforce/Job Start/Remote Work

Marcy Cody, RN, BSN

As a semi-retired and part time community outreach nurse for a nonprofit, after a short lay off, I was called back to make “well being” phone calls and give health presentations via Zoom.

Working from home provided an opportunity for me to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams and enabled me to walk into my purpose, teach people of all ages, to do something every day that that their “future self” will be grateful for (mind, body & spirit).

I published a bestseller! “90 Ways to Age VIBRANTLY! A Baby Boomers Devotional Journal.” Started the “Age Vibrantly Tips” Podcast. Formed a Mastermind Group: “Be Alive and SPRY at 85.”
Repurposed three of my online courses and I’m planning a summit.

While doing all this, I had a much needed hip replacement surgery.

I’m a firm believer in multiple streams of income and this time at home, has allowed me to tweak everything.

I’m excited for 2021!!

Now that I’m getting my ducks in a row, the finances will start flowing in on autopilot!

For more information, visit https://www.marcycodyrn.com.

Categories
Mind, Body, and Spirit

Melissa-College Student

When the lockdown hit in March 2020, my college experience was moved online. The experience of learning online was difficult. Having to look at a screen all day, every day really took a toll on my mental health.

Categories
Non Profit Organizations

Angela Hurlock – Claretian Associates

There’s a saying that pressure reveals character. Diamonds aren’t  created, the thinking goes, so much as unearthed, but only after undergoing intense duress.